25 Years To Now: In the Bosom of the Green Mountains

Originally released on cassette in 1989 and now entering the digital pipeline, In the Bosom of the Green Mountains was the first to define what would become my signature sound, that of the layered violins and solo guitar. While recording the album in my Barnard, Vermont home studio, after the guitar takes were secure I kept adding multiple takes of the violin as every pass found me in a different place. Hovering over the mixingboard, I began experimenting by adding one violin, then another, fading one up, then down, and so on. Magical harmonies appeared out of nowhere and the Spencer Lewis sound was born. I had no idea that mixing was a performance unto itself, and that strings have a density and power both in numbers, or by themselves. Once, when I had my doubts about the sometimes cacophony of sound, I recall my good friend, keyboardist Eugene Uman listening in one day and reaffirming my discovery.

The album is short by today's standards (38:22) and there are eight songs. That being said, it sells for less on the open markets ($7.99). I make a bit more when bought on CD Baby but iTunes seems to be the preferred place for most people to download. I still have a few actual CD's left of this title, but the future is in either vinyl or downloads. Go figure.

I often used to say about the making of this album: "I wish I knew as little as I knew then." Maybe I cherish the innocence of the times, but everything changes and there are more discoveries down every twist and turn of the road. Still, this one remains dear to my heart.